Governor Bill Lee Signs Executive Order 114 Establishing Transportation Project Accountability Council

NASHVILLE, TN — Tennessee Governor Bill Lee signed Executive Order No. 114, establishing the Tennessee Strategic Transportation Project Accountability and Efficiency Council within the Executive Chamber.

Ensuring Fiscal Integrity in Multi-Billion Highway Expansions

The newly formed council is charged with independent fiscal and engineering oversight of all capital projects financed through the state’s landmark $3.3 billion Transportation Modernization Act fund. The order mandates quarterly performance audits of Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) public-private choice lane contracts and sets a hard requirement that at least 85% of capital allocations be deployed directly to active construction rather than administrative consulting.

Governor Lee affirmed that Tennessee taxpayers deserve maximum transparency and accountability, ensuring that state transportation dollars deliver congestion relief and modern highways on time and on budget.

Road Builders and Taxpayer Watchdog Feedback

Tennessee Road Builders Association leaders praised the council for streamlining contractor dispute resolution timelines.

Civic fiscal federations commended the quarterly public dashboard requirements for highway cost tracking.

Inaugural Council Meeting

The Transportation Project Accountability Council will convene for its first public organizational hearing on September 15, 2026.